The Zoonotic Helminth Parasite Fasciola hepatica: Virulence-Associated Cathepsin B and Cathepsin L Cysteine Peptidases Secreted by Infective Newly Excysted Juveniles (NEJ)
Fasciolosis caused by Fasciola hepatica is a major global disease of livestock and an important neglected helminthiasis of humans.Infection arises when encysted metacercariae are ingested by the mammalian host.Within the intestine, the parasite excysts as a newly excysted juvenile (NEJ) that penetrates the intestinal wall and migrates to the liver.